Risking a diplomatic fall-out with Britain Monday, January 6, Israel banned Palestinian officials from attending a Middle East conference to be hosted in London next week by Prime Minister Tony Blair.
It's a safety measure. You never know when they're going to blow up, y'know.
Israel was not invited to the conference, aimed at speeding up reforms in the Palestinian Authority (PA). The meeting has been called to gather a number of Arab states as well as members of the so-called Quartet pushing for Middle East peace - the European Union, Russia, the United Nations and United States. Press reports said Sharon was annoyed at the snub, as well as Blairâs plans for a separate meeting with Israeli opposition Labor leader Amram Mitzna, ahead of Israelâs January 28 general elections, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported. Labor and other critics condemned the travel ban, accusing Sharon of encouraging âterrorismâ by cracking down on âmoderatesâ in the Palestinian camp.
I'd guess the ban had a lot more to do with yesterday's explosion than with Sharon's delicate feelings. |